HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT OFFICERS BLUE CLOTH HELMET.

A very fine example of the 1881 pattern, the blue cloth helmet worn by all Line and Corps Regiment officers of the British Army. First introduced in 1878 with a rounded peak, in 1881 the pattern was adjusted to a more pointed peak, this example produced in cork with cloth cover. This is a magnificent example, all the cloth without any moth damage, good gilt overall, slight toning to the gilt on the back strap, the remainder excellent. This is a post 1902 Kings Crown version worn during the reign of Edward VII from 1902 to 10. The front plate has the scroll and centrepiece of the Hampshire Regiment. The chin chain with its velvet backing is full length having its adjuster chains to the end of the main chin chain, which hooks to the reverse side of the helmet. To the interior both the front and back peaks lined in green Morocco leather, slight losses to the lower left hand corner of the nape, with its virtually unused cream sweatband and still with its purple inner liner, which has come adrift in part from the leather liner, beautifully marked to the inner crown ‘Hawkes & Co, London’ there was a paper name label to the interior, that has been scratched out for some unknown reason. No extra holes, a beautiful untouched Home Service helmet.

Code: 80910